5 Ways to Completely Revamp Your Fabric Structure
by Admin | Apr 24, 2019
If you own a fabric structure, there are several ways to upgrade your fabric building and increase the functionality of the building. You can make the interior more conducive to performing work tasks while adding another level of comfort for occupants. Many business owners realize a significant return on their investment when choosing engineered fabric structures over traditional structures. The low operational costs and the ability to adapt to changing business needs, along with ease of transport to another location if required, make them a desired choice to meet flexible business operations.
Upgrade your fabric building can be easily done for owners that desire increased aesthetics, more natural lighting, increased air flow and climate control, or more interior space. One of the benefits of fabric structures is their versatility. When you to need to expand and require more floor space, your fabric building can be easily extended to increase interior capacity. Get more from your structure with these 5 ways to completely revamp your fabric building.
1. Add Windows for More Lighting
Fabric buildings are known for allowing natural light to filter through the tensioned fabric. But if you want to take advantage of solar energy to upgrade your fabric building, windows and doors can be added for increased light and reduce energy use from heating or cooling units. Consider combining glazed windows with LED lighting as a cost-effective solution if you determine your structure could benefit from brighter lighting.
2. Increase Accessibility
Fabric structures already have the steel framework to support the addition of a variety of door styles. Large openings on each end of a structure can be fitted with sectional doors that operate on tracks similar to garage doors and are highly durable as a drive-through path for vehicles or for moving equipment or livestock easily in and out of buildings. Other options to upgrade your fabric building include bi-fold doors, rubber, and fabric doors as alternative economical solutions that can easily be incorporated within a fabric building. Calhoun will work with you to help you select the right window and door sizes and styles that are best for your industry and your specific applications.
3. Upgrade the Fabric Cover
Sometimes, recovering your structure is the best solution to weathered fabrics or structures that have endured a number of impacts. If your assets are not being protected well, consider re-covering your existing building to get an extended service life from the structure. When your original fabric building is from a manufacturer that used a sub-standard fabric cover, Calhoun will repair and replace a high-quality tensioned fabric made in-house to custom fit your frame. Industries that use fabric covered buildings include construction, agricultural, equestrian, sports and recreation, bulk storage, military, and entertainment venues. Each of these industries have specific reasons to keeping the fabric cover upgraded. Increased aesthetics, keeping assets dry, or simply the wear and tear from activities within the structure makes a fabric cover upgrade an essential part of doing business.
4. Consider an Extension or Relocation
One significant benefit of fabric structures is their ability to easily add square footage as your business needs increase. Your unique needs for space can always be accommodated with a fabric structure extension. When you need to increase the width or the length, Calhoun and its network of dealers can provide skilled installers to expand your fabric structure to meet increased demands for space. Sometimes it’s not the interior space that hinders work activities, but the location of the structure that can be limiting. If you find the location of your structure is no longer ideal, consider having it relocated to a larger, more accessible location.
5. HVAC System for Increased Comfort
For fabric structures that store caustic materials, or are occupied frequently by livestock or people, end wall ventilation that allows the flow of fresh air between each end of the structure might be just what you need. Depending on the size and use of your structure, one of Calhoun’s experts can determine just how much airflow may be required. The framework of Calhoun fabric structures can support duct work for HVAC systems to complement current ventilation or to increase the comfort of workers, animals, and visitors. We can help you select the best type and size of HVAC and ventilation system for your needs, including
• Radiant Tube Ventiliation
• Make Up Air Systems
• Passive and Active Wall Vents
• Ridge Vents
Fabric structures already feature thermal and acoustical benefits. When you add a climate control system, the tensioned fabric structure assists by creating a tightly sealed barrier against the wind and helps keep a consistent interior temperature. While adding ventilation supports a continued flow of fresh air, an HVAC system may be needed for extreme climates or to offset the heat generated by large groups of people.